Train operator denies third-class plan

First Group have waved away claims that they are planning to introduce a third-class service on their Transpennine Express trains, despite information revealed in the House of Lords last week.

It transpires that train operators can propose the introduction of "a third passenger class" under existing franchising arrangements, drawing swift criticism from RMT union and the Labour party.

In a statement, First Group deny any such plan on their busy commuter route that runs between Manchester and Leeds. "We have never petitioned anyone to introduce further classes of travel on our routes", the statement read. "For starters, with first class taking up so much room on our rolling stock, despite limited take-up, where would we put it? Moreover, with chronic overcrowding, the faint smell of piss, uncomfortable seats and a timetable so theoretical that it's been nominated for a Nobel prize in physics, it's not possible to provide a service worse than our current standard class".